Fastening device



March. 3,. 1954 c. T. LAWRENCE ETAL 3,122,810

FASTENING DEVICE Filed May 17, 1962 INVENTORS 0mm ES 7'. LAWRfA/CENORM/4N W M/ICFEE BY DAV/D 6. R145 tates llitc atent ice 3,122,8ltlFASTENENG DEVICE Charles T. Lawrence, Saegertown, and Norman W. Mac-Fee, Conneaut Lake, 92., and David G. Rae, Westmount, Quebec, Canada,assignors to Talon, Inc, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 17,1952, Ser. No. 195,586 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-267) This invention relates tofastening devices particularly adaptable for shoes and the like of thetype disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,969,573 to Clive B. Forrester, datedJanuary 31, 1961.

In such a fastening device, there is provided generally a resilient wiremember bent to substantially V-shape so as to provide a pair ofspaced-apart arm-like portions integrally connected together at one endby a transversely extending trunnion portion. There is hingedly attachedto this trunnion, a bearing-like portion arranged at one end of amanipulating or actuating member. Between the manipulating member andthe resilient arm portion there is arranged an adjustable yoke-likemember having one end thereof pivotally attached to the inner side ofthe manipulating member intermediate the length thereof. (3n theopposite end of this rigid member there is arranged a pair ofspaced-apart hook-like portions which slidably engage the arm-likeportions of the wire member whereby the arm-like portions are movedtoward or away from one another upon movement of the manipulatingmember.

While the fastening device disclosed in the aforesaid Forrester patenthas proven to be practical and functions satisfactorily, it consists ofa muitiplicity of parts which are difficult and expensive to fabricateand assemble.

Accordin ly, it is the general object of the present invention toprovide an improved fastening device of the type disclosed in theaforesaid Forrester patent consisting of a number of parts which may beeasily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled.

Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention toprovide an improved fastening device of the type disclosed in theaforesaid Forrester application consisting of a minimum number of partswhich may be easily and inexpensively fabricated and assembled.

it is another object of this invention to provide a fastening device ofthe type disclosed having new and novel means arranged therewith forsecurely locking the assembly in its closed position and a fasteningdevice which may be easily and quickly assembled in the shoe or otherartiele with which i is to be used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved fasteningdevice of the type described in which the yoke-like member can be easilyand quickly adjusted relative to the manipulating member.

it is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved fastening device of the type described which is strong andrugged in its construction and efficient and effective in its use.

Various other objects and advantages of this invention will be moreapparent in the course of the following specification, and will beparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown for the purpose ofillustration, several embodiments which my invention may assume inpractice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a shoe having the improved fastenerdevice of the present invention incorporated therewith showing it in.its fully closed or locked position,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the shoe similar to FIG. 1 butshowing the fastening device in its fully open position,

FIG. 3 is a side view of the shoe as shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the improved fasteningdevice of my invention consists of a relatively stiff resilient wiremember 2 made of spring steel or some other suitable material which isbent to substantially U-shape so as to provide a pair of spaced-apartarm portions 3 and d integrally connected together at the lower endthereof by means of a transversely extending trunnion portion 5.

Each of the arm portions 3 and 4 of the wire member 2 are preferablyreversely bent, as at 6, so as to provide armlike portions 7 and S whichare spaced from the respective arms 3 and 4. On the free end of each ofthese arm-like portions 7 and 8, there is formed a hook-like portion 9and 10, respectively, which detachably engage and cooperate with thewire member 2 at the lower ends of the respective arms 3 and 4 thereofadjacent the transversely extending portion 5 at each side thereof toform in cooperation with the respective arms 3 and 4 a closed looplikeportion, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings for the purposeof attaching the assembly to a shoe.

There is provided an elongated plate-like manipulating member 12 havingjournal portion 13 arranged at one end thereof which is pivotallyconnected to the transverse trunnion portion 5 of the wire member 2. Theopposed marginal edges of this manipulating member 12 are curled over asat 14. At one end of the manipulating member 12 there is arranged inthese curled edges, a series of opposed spaced-apart notches 15.Centrally of this manipulating member, there is provided a pair ofopposed liplike locking portions 16 which are extensions of the curledmarginal edges 14. The opposed inner edges of each of these lip-likeportions are arcuated and bent outwardly, as at 17, so as to providearcuated beveled edge or cam surfaces therealong for a purposehereinafter to be described.

A substantially U-shaped inter-connecting member if: is provided whichis formed preferably from a length of relatively stiff resilient wire soas to provide a loop portion 19 at one end thereof which is disposedaround the arm portions 3 and 4- 0f the wire member 2 encircling thesame and which slidably engage these arm portions to close the fastenerin a manner to be described. 0n the opposite end of this member 18 thereis provided on the ends of the leg portions 2%, a pair of outwardlyextending fun er-like portions 21 which cooperate with the notches 15 inthe curled edges 14- in the manipulating member 12 so as to permitselective adjustment of the finger-like portions 21 therealong.

The fastening device is assembled in the shoe in the following manner.There is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings a shoe having theusual front instep opening, side instep or flap portions 29 and 3b toeither side of the opening and an inner tongue T.

The edges of these flap portions 29 and 3t bordering the opening arepreferably folded upon themselves so as to provide longitudinallyextending slots or opem'ngs 22, respectively, between the folds of theflaps which slots extend throughout the length of the opening and theflap portions, as more clearly shown'in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings.

In assembling the fastening device in the shoe, the armlike portions 7and 8 are inserted into the upper end of the respective slots 22 in theflap portions of the shoe and moved therethrough until the extreme outerends thereof carrying the respective hook like portions 9 and 10 extendbeyond the lower ends of the respective slots. The hook-like portions 9and 10 are then moved to position between the arm portions 3 and 4 ofthe wire member so that these hook-shaped portions are disposed aroundand engage the lower portions of the arm portions adjacent thetransverse portion 5. As a result, it will be seen that each of thearm-like members 7 and 8 in cooperation with the respective arm portions3 and 4 form a closed loop-like portion at each side of the shoe openingso as to attach securely the fastening device to the shoe. To remove theassembly from the shoe, the reverse procedure is followed.

The operation of our improved fastening device will now be described. Itwill be assumed that the fastening 'device is in its fully openposition, as shown in PEG. 2

of the drawings. In order to close the fastener the manipulating member12 grasped and moved toward the opening in the shoe and the tongue Tabout its pivotal connection with the transverse portion 5 of the wiremember 2. In its movement to such position, it will be understood thatthe loop-like portion 19 of the member 18 slides along the arm portions3 and 4 thereby drawing them together with the reversely bent portions 7and 8 toward one another and the center of the shoe opening against theresilient action thereof, thereby gradually moving the arm portions 3and 4 together with the marginal edges of flap portions 29 and 3% towardone another over the shoe opening.

When the manipulating member 12 has been moved to its fully closedposition, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5 of the drawings, it will be seenthat this member is sub- 7 stantially parallel to the arm portions 3 and4 of the wire member 2. As the manipulating member reaches its fullyclosed position the leg portions 20 of the member 18 moves into positionbetween the arcuated lip-like portions 16 so as to hold the manipulatingmember securely in its closed or locked position, as more clearly shownin FIG. 5 of the drawings. That is to say, this member 18 is moved intoengagement with the lip-like portion 16 by a snapping action due to theresilient characteristics of the leg portions 20.

As a result of our invention it will be seen that there is provided asimple and inexpensive fastening device which can be easily andconveniently fabricated and which is efiicient and effective in its use.

While we have shown and described an embodiment which our invention mayassume in practice, it will be understood that this embodiment is merelyfor the purpose of illustration and description, and that other formsmay be devised within the scope of our invention as defined in theappended claims.

What We claim as our invention is:

1. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

means arranged with said plate-like member for attaching it to thearticle with which the device is to be used,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said platelike member beingcurled over toward one another, there being a series of opposedspaced-apart notches arranged in said curled edges,

an interconnecting member having an attaching portion arranged on oneend thereof and a pair of laterally extending. portions arranged on theopposite end thereof which extend in opposite directions and whichcooperate with the notches in 7 said plate-like member so as to permitselective adjustment of said wire member relative to said platelikemember, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to saidplate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as toprevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair ofopposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each ofsaid series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curledover extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bentinwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portionof said plate-like member, the inner edge portion of each of saidlip-like portions being constructed and arranged so as to cooperate withouter sides of said interconnecting member in the opening and closing ofthe device.

2. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

means arranged with said plate-like member for at taching it to thearticle with which the device is to be used,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said platelike member beingcurled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in saidcurled edges,

an interconnecting memberrhaving an attaching portion arranged on oneend thereof and a pair of laterally extending portions arranged on theopposite end thereof which extend in opposite directions and whichcooperate with the notches in said plate-like member so as to permitselective adjustment of said wire member relative to said plate-likemember, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to saidplate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as toprevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair ofopposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each ofsaid series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curledover extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bentinwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portionof said platel'ike member with the extreme inner edge portion of eachbeing arcuated and bent outwardly'so as to provide a beveled edge camportion with which said interconnecting member cooperates centrally ofsaid plate-like member in the opening and closing of the device.

3. In a fastening device of the class described,

a plate-like member,

means arranged with said plate-like member for attaching it to thearticle with which the device is to be used,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said platelike member beingcurled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in saidcurled edges,

a resilient substantially U-shaped' wire member deformed so as toprovide a loop attachment portion and a pair of spaced-apartsubstantially parallel elongated leg portions,

a laterally extending portion arranged on the outer end of each of saidleg portions which extend in 0pposite directions and :which cooperatewith the notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selectiveadjustment of said wire member relative to said plate-like member, and

means for locking said resilient wire member relative to said plate-likemember in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to preventunintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each ofsaid series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curledover extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bentinwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portionofsaid plate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of eachbeing arcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge camportion with which the respective leg portions of said resilient wiremember cooperate centrally of said plate-like member in the opening andclosing of the device.

4. In a fastening device of the class described, a resilient wire memberbent to substantially V-shaped so as to provide a pair of spaced-apartarm portions interconnected at one end by a transverse trunnion portion,

means arranged at the end of each of said arm portions for attaching thesame to the edges of an opening to be closed,

a plate-like manipulating member having one end thereof pivotallyattached to the transverse portion or" said wire member,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said manipulating memberbeing curled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in saidcurled edges,

an interconnecting member having an attaching portion arranged on oneend thereof and a pair of laterally extending portions arranged on theother end of each of said leg portions which cooperate with o posednotches in said manipulating member so as to permit selective adjustmentof the interconnecting member relative to said manipulating member, and

means for locking said interconnecting member relative to saidplate-like member in a position substantially parallel thereto so as toprevent unintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair ofopposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each ofsaid series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curledover extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bentinwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portionof said plate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of eachbeing arcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge camportion with which said interconnecting member cooperates centrally ofsaid plate-like member in its opening and closing movement.

5. In a fastening device of the class described,

a resilient wire member bent to substantially V-shaped so as to providea pair of spaced-apart arm portions interconnected at one end by atransverse trunnion portion,

means arranged with each of said arm portions for attaching the same tothe edges of an opening to be closed,

a plate-like manipulating member having one end thereof pivotallyattached to the transverse portion of said wire member,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said manipulating memberbeing curled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in saidcurled edges,

a resilient substantially U-shaped wire member deformed so as to providea loop portion at one end thereof which encircles said arm portions anda pair of spaced-apart, substantially parallel, elongated leg portionsmovable laterally relative to one another,

a laterally extending portion on the outer end of each of said legportions which extend in opposite directions and which cooperates withthe notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selectiveadjustment of the second wire member relative to said manipulatingmember, and

means for locking said resilient wire member relative to said plate-likemember in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to preventunintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposed lip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the en of each ofsaid series of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curledover extension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bentinwardly so as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portionof said plate-like member, the inner edge portion of each of saidlip-like portions being constructed and arranged so as to cooperate withouter sides of the leg portions of said second wire member in theopening and closing or" the device.

6. In a fastening device of the class described,

a resilient Wire member bent to substantially V-shaped so as to providea pair of spaced-apart arm portions interconnected at one end by atransverse trunnion portion,

means arranged with each of said arm portions for attaching the same tothe edges of an opening to be closed,

a plate-like manipulating member having one end thereof pivotallyattached to the transverse portion of said wire member,

the opposed longitudinal marginal edges of said manipulating memberbeing curled over toward one another,

there being a series of opposed spaced-apart notches arranged in saidcurled edges,

'a resilient substantially U-shaped Wire member deformed so as toprovide a loop portion at one end thereof which encircles said armportions and a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel elongated legportions movable laterally relative to one another,

a laterally extending portion on the outer end of each of said legportions which extend in opposite directions and which cooperates withthe notches in said manipulating member so as to permit selectiveadjustment of the second wire member relative to said manipulatingmember, and

means for locking said resilient Wire member relative to said plate-likemember in a position substantially parallel thereto so as to preventunintentional movement relative to the same comprising a pair of opposedlip-like portions with one arranged adjacent the end of each of saidseries of notches, each of said lip-like portions being a curled overextension of the respective marginal edge portion which is bent inwardlyso as to be disposed substantially parallel to the body portion or saidplate-like member with the extreme inner edge portion of each beingarcuated and bent outwardly so as to provide a beveled edge cam portionwith which the respective leg portions of said second resilient wiremember cooperate centrally of said plate-like member in its opening andclosing movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS552,050 Diffendafer Dec. 24, 1895 1,647,108 Hadley Oct. 25, 19272,897,558 Ronci Aug. 4, 1959 2,969,573 Forrester Jan. 31, 1961 2,983,619Rae May 9, 1961 3,059,351 Hawkins Oct. 23, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 499,615Great Britain Jan. 26, 1939 111,439 Sweden Aug. 8, 1944

1. IN A FASTENING DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A PLATE-LIKE MEMBER,MEANS ARRANGED WITH SAID PLATE-LIKE MEMBER FOR ATTACHING IT TO THEARTICLE WITH WHICH THE DEVICE IS TO BE USED, THE OPPOSED LONGITUDINALMARGINAL EDGES OF SAID PLATELIKE MEMBER BEING CURLED OVER TOWARD ONEANOTHER, THERE BEING A SERIES OF OPPOSED SPACED-APART NOTCHES ARRANGEDIN SAID CURLED EDGES, AN INTERCONNECTING MEMBER HAVING AN ATTACHINGPORTION ARRANGED ON ONE END THEREOF AND A PAIR OF LATERALLY EXTENDINGPORTIONS ARRANGED ON THE OPPOSITE END THEREOF WHICH EXTEND IN OPPOSITEDIRECTIONS AND WHICH COOPERATE WITH THE NOTCHES IN SAID PLATE-LIKEMEMBER SO AS TO PERMIT SELECTIVE ADJUSTMENT OF SAID WIRE MEMBER RELATIVETO SAID PLATELIKE MEMBER, AND